Action Alert
Van Esser

Ask N.J. Assembly to Oppose Driving Privilege Cards for Illegal Aliens
The N.J. State Assembly may soon consider a bill (A3286) that would give one-year driving privilege cards to certain illegal aliens. It is being marketed as legislation that gives driving privileges to recipients of the Obama Administration’s deferred action amnesty but it is, in fact, broader in nature.

The bill would give driving privilege cards to an illegal alien who “meets the criteria for eligibility to apply for a deferral in deportation…and meets the criteria for eligibility to qualify for federal work authorization.” It does not require an illegal alien to actually obtain deferred action or a work authorization.

An illegal alien is eligible to apply for deferred action amnesty if the person:

1. Was under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012;

2. Came to the United States before his/her 16th birthday;

3. Has continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the present time;

4. Was physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of requesting deferred action;

5. Entered without approval before June 15, 2012 or lawful immigration status expired as of that date;

6. Is currently in school, graduated or obtained a GED certificate, or is an honorably discharged veteran; and

7. Has not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, three or more other misdemeanors, and does not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.

There are no special criteria that make an illegal alien eligible to qualify for a work authorization outside of the deferred action criteria. So any illegal alien who meets the above criteria could get a N.J. license under the bill.

A3286 proponents chose a driving privilege card, as opposed to a license, to avoid being accused of compromising the security of the State's official driver's license. Utah is the only other state to give driving privilege cards to illegal aliens. California just enacted a law that gives recipients of deferred action a driver’s license.

A3286 has been assigned to the Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee, but a hearing has not been scheduled. Assembly Speaker Shelia Oliver is a primary sponsor of the bill.

Please contact the members of the Transportation Committee, Assembly Speaker Oliver and your Assemblyperson and ask them to oppose A3286.

Contacting the Transportation Committee

Please contact the listed committee members, starting with the Democrats highlighted in red first, with the message below. If your Assemblyperson serves on the Committee, you will find a fax to send him/her on your Action Board.

“Please oppose A3286 in the Transportation Committee. It is outrageous to give driving privileges to illegal immigrants and make it easier for them to compete for jobs when N.J. faces 9.9 percent unemployment.

Our most vulnerable citizens would be hurt the worst. Did you know that the unemployment rate for African Americans under the age of 20 is 36.7 percent?

The bill’s proponents falsely suggest the driving privileges would be limited to illegal immigrants who have obtained federal deferred action. In fact, any illegal immigrant under 31 who meets certain criteria would get to drive.”

Additional Talking Points

To get a driving privilege card, an illegal immigrant would only have to “meet the criteria for eligibility to apply” for deferred action. Obtaining deferred action is not a requirement. So any illegal immigrant who is under 31, meets certain educational requirements and has not been convicted of certain crimes can get a driving card.

It is ridiculous to assume that motor vehicles department staff will be able to evaluate applicants based on these criteria. A3286 would become a fraud magnet.

Eve n if the bill is amended to require an illegal immigrant to have obtained deferred action from USCIS, you should know that USCIS gives confirmation via text messages and emails. Such communication can be easily forged so A3286 would remain a fraud magnet.
Richard Tolson, director of the N.J. Bricklayers union, said his workers are experiencing 30-50 percent unemployment because employers can pay illegal immigrants as little as $8 an hour as independent contractors or “off the books.”


Wisniewski, John (Chair): (732) 432-8460


Stender, Linda (Vice-Chair): (90 668-1900


Amodeo, John: (609) 677-8266


Caride, Marlene (bill co-sponsor): (201) 943-0615


Chivukula, Upendra: (732) 247-3999


Giblin, Thomas: (973) 779-3125


Mainor, Charles: (201) 536-7851


Ramos, Ruben (co-sponsor): (201) 714-4960


Riley, Celeste: (856) 339-0808


Rudder, Scott: (609) 654-1498


Rumpf, Brian: (609) 693-6700


Wolfe, David: (732) 840-9028




Contacting the Assembly Speaker

Please call Assembly Speaker Shelia Olive r’s office -- (973) 395-1166 – with the message:

“I am upset that Speaker Oliver sponsored A3286. It is outrageous to give driving privileges to illegal immigrants and make it easier for them to compete for jobs when N.J. faces 9.9 percent unemployment. Tell her N.J. voters want this bill pulled from consideration.

Our most vulnerable citizens would be hurt the worst. Does she know that the unemployment rate for African Americans under the age of 20 is 36.7 percent?

Speaker Oliver claims that driving privileges would be limited to illegal immigrants who have obtained federal deferred action but, in fact, any illegal immigrant under 31 who meets certain criteria would get to drive.”

Additional Talking Points

To get a driving privilege card, an illegal immigrant would only have to “meet the criteria for eligibility to apply” for deferred action. Obtaining deferred action is not a requirement. So any illegal immigrant who is under 31, meets certain educational requirements and has not been convicted of certain crimes can get a license.

It is ridiculous to assume that motor vehicles department staff will be able to evaluate applicants based on these criteria. A3286 would become a fraud magnet.

Even if the bill is amended to require an illegal immigrant to have obtained deferred action from USCIS, you should know that USCIS gives confirmation via text messages and emails. Such communication can be easily forged so A3286 would remain a fraud magnet.

Contacting Your Assemblyperson

Please call your Assemblyperson with the message below. You can also send an email by looking up your Assemblyperson on this page, clicking on the name, and clicking on electronic mail contact.

“I am a voter in your district who wants you to oppose A3286. It is outrageous to give driving privileges to illegal immigrants and make it easier for them to compete for jobs when N.J. faces 9.9 percent unemployment.

Our most vulnerable citizens would be hurt the worst. Did you know that the unemployment rate for African Americans under the age of 20 is 36.7 percent?

The bill’s proponents falsely suggest that driving privileges would be limited to illegal immigrants who have obtained federal deferred action. Any illegal immigrant under 31 who meets certain criteria would get to drive.”

Additional Talking Points

To get a driving privile ge card, an illegal immigrant would only have to “meet the criteria for eligibility to apply” for deferred action. Obtaining deferred action is not a requirement. So any illegal immigrant who is under 31, meets certain educational requirements and has not been convicted of certain crimes can drive.

It is ridiculous to assume that motor vehicles department staff will be able to evaluate applicants based on these criteria. A3286 would become a fraud magnet.

Even if the bill is amended to require an illegal immigrant to have obtained deferred action from USCIS, you should know that USCIS gives confirmation via text messages a nd emails. Such communication can be easily forged so A3286 would remain a fraud magnet.

The Obama Administration ignored the laws Congress passed when it granted deferred deportation and a work authorization to illegal immigrants. Do not exacerbate the problem by making it easier for them to work in New Jersey.

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Van
Esser
https://www.numbersusa.com/sendfax?r...action%2Fboard